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Sustainability Strategic Plan for the City of University City, Missouri <br />September 12, 2011/ REVISED JANUARY 8, 2012 <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />Executive Summary <br />The City of University City was incorporated by Edward Gardner Lewis in 1906. <br />Starting with his “City Beautiful” plan and continuing today, University City is <br />known for its “Tree City” status. The City is responsible for maintaining its many <br />parks, green spaces, boulevard medians, river channels, public lots, islands and <br />roadsides, which together total 289 acres. The city is predominately residential, <br />with a small amount of commercial, retail and industrial areas. <br />The University City Green Practices Committee was established over two years <br />ago under the direction of City Manager Julie Feier and Mayor Joe Adams (see <br />attached report in Appendix). Committee members represent the three wards <br />in University City and meet monthly. The following Sustainability Strategic (Draft) <br />Plan is an outgrowth of the ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) matrix. <br />The Draft Plan focuses primarily on Municipal Goals and Action Items, with <br />information also provided for Residential and Commercial segments. The Draft <br />Plan will be added to and revised quarterly with input from City Council. <br />The Sustainability Strategic (Draft) Plan is divided into seven areas with the key <br />concepts described below: <br /> Ecosystems/ Habitat – Use local expertise to evaluate and restore habitats <br />and provide environmental education. <br /> Water/ Stormwater – Concentrate on the River Des Peres with its three <br />branches that flow through University City. Address issues with stormwater <br />runoff and flooding; develop strategies to decrease potable water use. <br /> Air Quality/ Transportation – Discuss strategies to improve air quality and <br />reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from vehicles. <br /> Waste/ Resource Conservation – Implement action steps to reduce City, <br />commercial and residential waste, as well as improve recycling and <br />composting practices and participation. <br /> Land Use/ Open Space/ Parks – Use comprehensive planning and zoning <br />ordinances along with design standards to enhance and improve land use <br />and open space in University City. <br /> Energy – Reduce energy use and use energy efficient vehicles and <br />renewable energy; create strategies to reduce the carbon footprint for the <br />City and residential areas. <br /> Green Buildings – Incorporate a green building code for the City, use rating <br />systems such as LEED and Energy Star, and improve sustainable operations <br />and maintenance of existing buildings. <br />Each section contains a Summary as well as specific Goals and associated <br />Action Items to be addressed by the City in accordance with Resolution 2009-